Using MAX 7000B Devices
to Replace I/O Drivers
December 2002, ver. 1.0
Introduction
Application Note 293
The Altera® MAX® 7000B device is the only product-term device capable
of supporting the GTL+, SSTL-2, and SSTL-3 standards used in processor
interfaces, backplane drivers, and SDRAM memory interfaces.
Traditionally, discrete I/O translators, buffers, drivers, and transceivers
are used to convert GTL+, SSTL-2, or SSTL-3 signals to LVCMOS or to
LVTTL before transferring these signals to the programmable logic. For
example, in processor-based designs, a driver may be used to translate a
GTL+ signal to an LVTTL before the signal is transferred to the
programmable logic device (PLD). External I/O drivers require extra
board space and can introduce delays in high-performance applications.
You can use a single MAX 7000B device to replace multiple I/O drivers
eliminating chip-to-chip delays, minimizing board space, and reducing
total system cost.
This application note provides a comprehensive listing of today’s discrete
I/O drivers and explains how you can use Altera MAX 7000B devices to
replace these I/O drivers.
Commercial I/O
Drivers
Altera Corporation
AN-293-1.0
You can easily implement the logic that is built into external I/O drivers
using Altera’s MAX+PLUS® II software, allowing a MAX 7000B device to
replace almost any driver device. Generally, these I/O drivers are
available from vendors such as Fairchild Semiconductor, National
Semiconductor, Philips Semiconductors, and Texas Instruments. Because
each vendor has different timing specifications for each device, you
should consult the vendor’s data sheets to compare timing parameters
with the MAX 7000B device. You can find Altera’s timing information in
the MAX 7000B Programmable Logic Device Family Data Sheet at
www.altera.com. Table 1 lists the available GTL+ drivers and Table 2 lists
the SSTL-2 and SSTL-3 drivers supporting outputs in the Class I and Class
II standards.
1
AN 293: Using MAX 7000B Devices to Replace I/O Drivers
Table 1. Part Numbers for GTL+ Drivers (Part 1 of 2)
Number
Description
Part Numbers
Fairchild
2
National
Philips
Tl
1
LVTTL-to-GTLP
adjustable edge-rate
bus transceiver
SN74GTLP1394 (1)
2
LVTTL-to-GTLP
universal bus
transceiver
SN74GTLPH1612 (1), (2)
3
LVTTL-to-GTLP
universal bus
transceiver with a
buffered clock
SN74GTLPH1616
4
18-bit TTL/GTLP
universal bus
transceiver
5
17-bit TTL/GTLP bus GTL16616
transceiver with
buffered clock
GTL16616
6
17-bit TTL/GTLP
synchronous bus
transceiver
GTL16617
7
LVTTL-to-GTLP
transceiver
SN74GTLPH1645 (1)
8
LVTTL-to-GTLP
universal bus
transceiver
SN74GTLPH16912 (2)
9
LVTTL to GTLP
Universal bus
transceiver with
buffered clock
SN74GTLPH16916
10
LVTTL-to-GTLP
transceiver
SN74GTLPH16945
11
16-bit LVTTL/GTLP
universal bus
transceiver
GTLP16T1655
GTLP16T1655
12
17-bit LVTTL/GTLP
bus transceiver
GTLP17T616
GTLP17T616
13
18-bit LVTTL/GTLP
universal bus
transceiver
GTLP18T612
GTLP18T612
GTLP16612 (2) GTLP16612 (2) GTLP16612 (2) SN74GTLPH16612 (2)
GTL16617
SN74GTLPH1655 (1), (2)
Altera Corporation
AN 293: Using MAX 7000B Devices to Replace I/O Drivers
Table 1. Part Numbers for GTL+ Drivers (Part 2 of 2)
Number
Description
Part Numbers
Fairchild
National
Philips
Tl
14
Quad GTLP-toTTL/LVTTL latched
translator
GTL2004
15
Quad GTLP-toTTL/LVTTL nonlatched translator
GTL2005
16
LVTTL-to-GTLP
transceiver
SN74GTLPH3245 (1)
17
LVTTL-to-GTLP
universal bus
transceiver
SN74GTLPH32912
18
LVTTL-to-GTLP
universal bus
transceiver with
buffered clock
SN74GTLPH32916
19
LVTTL-to-GTLP
transceiver
SN74GTLPH32945
20
GTLP-to-TTL 1-to-6
clock driver
GTLP6C816
21
LVTTL-to-GTLP
clock driver
GTLP6C816A
22
GTLP-to-LVTTL
1-to-6 clock driver
GTLP6C817
GTLP6C817
SN74GTLP817
23
8-bit LVTTL-to-GTLP GTLP8T306
transceiver
GTLP8T306
SN74GTLPH306
GTLP6C816
Table 2. Part Numbers for SSTL-2 & SSTL-3 Drivers (Part 1 of 2)
Number
Description
Part Numbers
Fairchild
National
Philips
Tl
1
20-bit SSTL-3
universal bus driver
class I outputs
SN74SSTL16837A (2)
2
20-bit SSTL-3
universal bus driver
class II outputs
SN74SSTL16837A (2)
3
20-bit SSTL-3
interface buffer
class I outputs
SN74SSTL16847
Altera Corporation
3
AN 293: Using MAX 7000B Devices to Replace I/O Drivers
Table 2. Part Numbers for SSTL-2 & SSTL-3 Drivers (Part 2 of 2)
Number
Description
Part Numbers
Fairchild
National
Philips
Tl
4
20-bit SSTL-3
interface buffer
class II outputs
SN74SSTL16847
5
14-bit SSTL-2
registered driver with
differential clocks:
class II outputs
SSTL16857
SSTL16877 (3)
6
14-bit SSTL-2
SSTV16857 (3)
registered driver with
differential clocks:
class II outputs
SSTL16857
SN74SSTL16857 (3)
SSTL16877 (3)
7
26-bit SSTL-2
registered buffer with
SSTL-2 inputs and
LVCMOS outputs
SN74SSTL16867 (3)
Notes to Tables 1 & 2:
(1)
(2)
(3)
These devices have edge-rate control. MAX 7000B devices offer an adjustable output slew rate that can be
configured for low-noise (slow) or high-performance (fast) operation.
Certain devices have a combined register/latch functionality that is selected by an enable pin. In most cases, only
one of these capabilities will be used on each design, so you can use either the register or latch primitives in the
MAX+PLUS II software. When both functions are required, contact Altera Applications for a macro-function that
uses the preset & clear logic on the MAX 7000B device registers.
These SSTL devices support differential clocking, a capability not included with the MAX 7000B device. However,
you can use differential clocks with MAX 7000B devices by adding external resistors. Contact Altera Applications
for more information.
Replacing
Commercial I/O
Drivers with
MAX 7000B
Devices
4
Each MAX 7000B device can only replace a certain maximum number of
I/O drivers. This limitation is due to the number of I/O pins required by
the driver and the current drive requirements of the I/O standards.
Tables 3 through 6 list the number of I/O drivers (of a given type) that can
be replaced by a MAX 7000B device. When LVTTL or LVCMOS is the
output standard, the limitations are due to the number of available pins in
the MAX 7000B device. When the output pins are driving GTL+ or SSTL,
the current drive requirements are the limiting factor.
Altera Corporation
AN 293: Using MAX 7000B Devices to Replace I/O Drivers
Most of the devices listed can be bidirectional, so Tables 3 through 6 list
the most restrictive case: GTL+ or SSTL driving out. For example, line four
describes device number 16612, an 18-bit TTL/GTL+ universal bus
transceiver. This device requires 36 I/O pins plus several control pins.
Because the device is bidirectional, the limiting factor is the current drive
requirements, not the number of I/O pins when GTL+ is being driven on
the output pins. Due to this drive limitation, many MAX 7000B devices
(the EPM7064B device and larger) can only replace one of these drivers.
However, the EPM7256B and EPM7512B devices can replace two or three
of the 16612 driver devices.
The generic part numbers in Tables 3 through 6 refer to the common digits
at the end of the manufacturer’s part numbers. The number columns in
Tables 3 through 6 can be cross-referenced with Tables 1 and 2.
Table 3. Number of I/O Drivers EPM7032B & EPM7064B Devices Can Replace (Part 1 of 2)
Number
Generic
Part
Number
EPM7032B
44-Pin
PLCC
44-Pin
TQFP
(1)
(1)
EPM7064B
49-Pin
Ultra
FineLine
BGA
44-Pin
PLCC
44-Pin
TQFP
49-Pin
Ultra
FineLine
BGA
100-Pin
TQFP
100-Pin
FineLine
BGA
1
1394
4
4
4
4
4
4
12
12
2
1612
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1
3
1616
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1
4
16612
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1
5
16616
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1
6
16617
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1
7
1645
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1
8
16912
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1
9
16916
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1
10
16945
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1
11
1655
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1
12
616
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1
13
612
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1
14
2004
2
2
2
2
2
2
6
6
15
2005
2
2
2
2
2
2
6
6
16
3245
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
17
32912
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
18
32916
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
19
32645
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
20
816
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
Altera Corporation
5
AN 293: Using MAX 7000B Devices to Replace I/O Drivers
Table 3. Number of I/O Drivers EPM7032B & EPM7064B Devices Can Replace (Part 2 of 2)
Number
Generic
Part
Number
EPM7032B
44-Pin
PLCC
44-Pin
TQFP
(1)
(1)
EPM7064B
49-Pin
Ultra
FineLine
BGA
44-Pin
PLCC
44-Pin
TQFP
49-Pin
Ultra
FineLine
BGA
100-Pin
TQFP
100-Pin
FineLine
BGA
21
816A
4
4
4
4
4
4
12
12
22
817
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
23
306
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
24
16837A-I
–
–
–
–
–
–
2
2
25
16837A-II
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1
26
16847-I
–
–
–
–
–
–
2
2
27
16847-II
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1
28
16857/77-I
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
29
16857/77-II
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
30
16867
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
1
Note to Table 3:
(1)
PLCC: plastic J-lead chip carrier; TQFP: thin quad flat pack.
Table 4. Number of I/O Drivers a EPM7128B Device Can Replace (Part 1 of 2)
Number Generic Part 49-Pin Ultra
Number
FineLine
BGA
6
100-Pin
TQFP
100-Pin
FineLine
BGA
144-Pin
TQFP
169-Pin
Ultra
FineLine
BGA
256-Pin
FineLine BGA
1
1394
12
12
12
12
12
12
2
1612
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1616
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
16612
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
16616
1
1
1
1
1
1
6
16617
1
1
1
1
1
1
7
1645
1
1
1
1
1
1
8
16912
1
1
1
1
1
1
9
16916
1
1
1
1
1
1
10
16945
1
1
1
1
1
1
11
1655
1
1
1
1
1
1
12
616
1
1
1
1
1
1
13
612
1
1
1
1
1
1
14
2004
6
6
6
6
6
6
Altera Corporation
AN 293: Using MAX 7000B Devices to Replace I/O Drivers
Table 4. Number of I/O Drivers a EPM7128B Device Can Replace (Part 2 of 2)
Number Generic Part 49-Pin Ultra
Number
FineLine
BGA
100-Pin
TQFP
100-Pin
FineLine
BGA
144-Pin
TQFP
169-Pin
Ultra
FineLine
BGA
256-Pin
FineLine BGA
15
2005
6
6
6
6
6
6
16
3245
–
–
–
–
–
–
17
32912
–
–
–
–
–
–
18
32916
–
–
–
–
–
–
19
32645
–
–
–
–
–
–
20
816
4
4
4
4
4
4
21
816A
12
12
12
12
12
12
22
817
4
4
4
4
4
4
23
306
3
3
3
3
3
3
24
16837A-I
1
2
2
2
2
2
25
16837A-II
1
1
1
1
1
1
26
16847-I
1
2
2
2
2
2
27
16847-II
1
1
1
1
1
1
28
16857/77-I
2
4
4
4
4
4
29
16857/77-II
2
3
3
3
3
3
30
16867
–
1
1
1
1
1
Altera Corporation
7
AN 293: Using MAX 7000B Devices to Replace I/O Drivers
Table 5. Number of I/O Drivers a EPM7256B Device Can Replace
Number
Generic Part
Number
100-Pin
TQFP
144-Pin
TQFP
169-Pin
FineLine
BGA
208-Pin PQFP (1)
256-Pin
FineLine BGA
1
1394
12
17
28
20
28
2
1612
1
1
3
2
3
3
1616
1
2
3
2
3
4
16612
1
1
3
2
3
5
16616
1
2
3
2
3
6
16617
1
2
3
2
3
7
1645
1
2
3
2
3
8
16912
1
1
3
2
3
9
16916
1
2
3
2
3
10
16945
1
2
3
2
3
11
1655
1
2
3
2
3
12
616
1
2
3
2
3
13
612
1
1
3
2
3
14
2004
6
8
14
10
14
15
2005
6
8
14
10
14
16
3245
–
1
1
1
1
17
32912
–
–
1
1
1
18
32916
–
1
1
1
1
19
32645
–
1
1
1
1
20
816
4
5
9
6
9
21
816A
12
17
28
20
28
22
817
4
5
9
6
9
23
306
3
4
7
5
7
24
16837A-I
2
2
3
3
3
25
16837A-II
1
1
2
2
2
26
16847-I
2
2
3
3
3
27
16847-II
1
1
2
2
2
28
16857/77-I
4
4
8
8
8
29
16857/77-II
3
3
6
6
6
30
16867
1
2
2
2
2
Note to Table 5:
(1)
8
PQFP: plastic quad flat pack.
Altera Corporation
AN 293: Using MAX 7000B Devices to Replace I/O Drivers
Table 6. Number of I/O Drivers an EPM7512B Device Can Replace
Number
Generic Part 100-Pin TQFP 144-Pin TQFP
169-Pin
Number
FineLine BGA
208-Pin
PQFP
256-Pin
FineLine BGA
1
1394
12
17
28
22
35
2
1612
1
1
3
2
3
3
1616
1
2
3
2
4
4
16612
1
1
3
2
3
5
16616
1
2
3
2
4
6
16617
1
2
3
2
4
7
1645
1
2
3
2
4
8
16912
1
1
3
2
3
9
16916
1
2
3
2
4
10
16945
1
2
3
2
4
11
1655
1
2
3
2
4
12
616
1
2
3
2
4
13
612
1
1
3
2
3
14
2004
6
8
14
11
17
15
2005
6
8
14
11
17
16
3245
–
1
1
1
2
17
32912
–
–
1
1
1
18
32916
–
1
1
1
2
19
32645
–
1
1
1
2
20
816
4
5
9
7
11
21
816A
12
17
28
22
35
22
817
3
4
7
5
8
23
306
3
4
7
5
8
24
16837A-I
2
2
4
3
5
25
16837A-II
1
1
3
2
3
26
16847-I
2
2
4
3
5
27
16847-II
1
1
3
2
3
28
16857/77-I
4
4
8
8
10
29
16857/77-II
3
3
6
6
7
30
16867
1
2
2
3
3
Altera Corporation
9
AN 293: Using MAX 7000B Devices to Replace I/O Drivers
Technical
Details
The number of output pins that can be assigned to advanced I/O
standards is limited because I/O standards require a high current drive.
Table 7 lists the different drive requirements. The GTL+ and SSTL
standards require more current than LVTTL or LVCMOS.
Table 7. Current Drive Requirements for I/O Standards
I/O Standard
ICC to GNDIO
ICC to VCCIO
LVTTL
4 mA
4 mA
LVCMOS
2 mA
2 mA
STTL-2 Class I
16 mA
16 mA
SSTL-2 Class II
22 mA
22 mA
SSTL-3 Class I
23 mA
23 mA
SSTL-3 Class II
33 mA
33 mA
GTL+
50 mA
0 mA
I/O pins on a MAX 7000B device are divided into GNDIO and VCCIO
groups with sizes that vary depending on the device’s density and
package. The MAX 7000B Programmable Logic Device Family Data Sheet lists
the maximum current allowed per group. The I/O standard used on each
pin determines the current requirements for that pin and the sum of these
currents in any one group may not exceed the maximum. The Quartus® II
software will not perform automatic I/O pin placement to meet current
requirements, but it will report errors. The report file generated by the
Quartus II software will also list the VCCIO and GNDIO levels for each
bank along with the maximum values.
10
Altera Corporation
AN 293: Using MAX 7000B Devices to Replace I/O Drivers
Tables 8 through 11 list the maximum number of GTL+ or SSTL outputs
that you can use on each MAX 7000B device (assuming all output pins are
the same standard). This information can be used along with the drive
requirements to help determine which MAX 7000B device is required for
various applications.
Table 8. Maximum Number of GTL+ or SSTL Outputs in EPM7032B & EPM7064B Devices
I/O
Standard
EPM7032B
44-Pin
PLCC
GTL+
44-Pin
TQFP
EPM7064B
49-Pin
Ultra
FineLine
BGA
44-Pin
PLCC
44-Pin
TQFP
49-Pin
FineLine
BGA
100-Pin
TQFP
100-Pin
FineLine
BGA
24
8
8
8
8
8
8
24
SSTL-2 C I
24
24
24
24
24
24
60
60
SSTL-2 C II
16
16
16
16
16
16
50
50
SSTL-3 C I
16
16
16
16
16
16
46
46
SSTL-3 C II
12
12
12
12
12
12
36
36
Table 9. Maximum Number of GTL+ or SSTL Outputs in a EPM7128B Device
I/O Standard
49-Pin Ultra 100-Pin TQFP
100-Pin
144-Pin TQFP 169-Pin Ultra
256-Pin
FineLine BGA
FineLine BGA
FineLine BGA FineLine BGA
GTL+
24
24
24
24
24
24
SSTL-2 C I
37
66
66
68
68
68
SSTL-2 C II
36
50
50
52
52
52
SSTL-3 C I
36
46
46
48
48
48
SSTL-3 C II
33
36
36
36
36
36
Table 10. Maximum Number of GTL+ or SSTL Outputs in a EPM7256B Device
I/O Standard
100-Pin TQFP
144-Pin TQFP
169-Pin Ultra
FineLine BGA
208-Pin PQFP
256-Pin FineLine
BGA
GTL+
SSTL-2 C I
SSTL-2 C II
SSTL-3 C I
SSTL-3 C II
24
66
49
45
34
35
69
50
46
34
56
115
86
78
58
40
115
86
78
58
56
115
86
78
58
Altera Corporation
11
AN 293: Using MAX 7000B Devices to Replace I/O Drivers
Table 11. Maximum Number of GTL+ or SSTL Outputs in a EPM7512B Device
I/O Standard
100-Pin TQFP
144-Pin TQFP
169-Pin Ultra
FineLine BGA
208-Pin PQFP
256-Pin
FineLine BGA
GTL+
24
35
56
44
70
SSTL-2 C I
66
69
123
115
141
SSTL-2 C II
49
50
94
86
109
SSTL-3 C I
45
46
85
78
100
SSTL-3 C II
34
34
64
58
76
Conclusion
101 Innovation Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
(408) 544-7000
http://www.altera.com
Applications Hotline:
(800) 800-EPLD
Literature Services:
lit_req@altera.com
12
The GTL+, SSTL-2, and SSTL-3 standards are becoming increasingly
popular in today’s high-performance designs. You can use MAX 7000B
devices to replace multiple I/O drivers and incorporate logic on the board
eliminating chip-to-chip delays, minimizing board space, and reducing
total system cost.
Copyright © 2002 Altera Corporation. All rights reserved. Altera, The Programmable Solutions Company, the
stylized Altera logo, specific device designations, and all other words and logos that are identified as
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